Three-year-old initiative gives girls academic support, helps them join school and encourages extracurricular growth
New Delhi: The Dr. M. L. Agarwal Educational and Rural Development Trust runs the Uthaan Education Centre in Inder Camp, Rangpuri slums, where it supports the education and overall development of young girls. The Trust established the centre around three years ago, and it now gives tuition and educational support to girls between six and 14 years of age.
The centre currently supports 20 girls from the local community. To keep the programme accessible to families in the area, the Trust has hired a teacher from the community and appointed a coordinator who manages the centre’s day-to-day activities. The Trust has also set up a dedicated room within the locality where the girls attend their educational sessions.
Uthaan does not stop at providing academic support — it also helps girls continue or begin their formal schooling. Most of the girls were already attending school, but the initiative helped the remaining girls secure admission in nearby schools. Through this, the Trust aims to strengthen the girls’ academic foundation and keep them engaged with education.
Alongside studies, the centre runs extracurricular activities that build the girls’ confidence and support their overall development. The girls take part in dance, sports and craft work, which gives them a chance to explore their talents beyond the classroom. The Trust also uses these activities to encourage children to spend their time in healthier, more meaningful ways.
The Trust recently organised a prize distribution function to recognise the girls for their academic performance. It felicitated students who had performed well in their school studies. The girls also presented dance performances, one of which carried a message urging children to maintain a healthy balance with social media and avoid excessive screen time.
Dr Ravi Aggarwal (Trustee), Mrs Anju Aggarwal (Trustee), Dr. Vishal Kaura Aggarwal (Consultant in Rheumatology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital), Dr. Raghav Aggarwal (radiologist specialising in musculoskeletal ultrasound at Dr. M. L. Agarwal Imaging Centre Pvt Ltd, Safdarjung Enclave), and social worker and philanthropist Ms. Anjali Sharma attended the event. Their presence encouraged the students and underlined the importance of community participation in initiatives that expand children’s access to education and opportunity.
Through Uthaan, the Dr. M. L. Agarwal Educational and Rural Development Trust aims to create a supportive educational environment for girls from the local community. The initiative combines academic reinforcement with school access, extracurricular activities and recognition of achievement, helping young girls build confidence and continue their educational journey.
